Resilient mold



Dec. 21, 1943. R, W. ERDLE RESILIENT MOLD Filed oct. 22, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet l r Ud/Mw) Dec. 21, i943. R W ERDLE 2,337,036

RESILIENT MOLD Filed Oct. 22, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 2l, 1943 RE SILIENT MOLD Reiner W.y Erdle, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Dental Research Corporation, Chicago.

ration o i Illinois IlL. a corpo- Application October 22, 1938, Serial No. 236,379

' 4 claims. icl. is-lm This invention relates to molds and, more speclilcally, to an improved form of resilient mold for use in making porcelain dental articles, such as teeth.

.The present application part of my copending application, 101,740, filed September 21, 1936.

One of the main objects of my present invention is to provide a resilient mold for porcelain dental articles, such as teeth. comprising a mold body of resilient material with one or more suitably shaped mold cavities adapted for producing green or unfired porcelain articles with or without undercuts or projecting parts, and having the characteristic of accurately reproducing all fine details of the natural teeth, or other ara'nd having at the same time the further rcharacteristic of relatively great resilience to permit, by ilexing the mold. removal of the green or uniired porcelain article without destroying the l molded shape of such article.

The mold comprises a moldbody having one or more suitably shaped mold cavities and formed of a material having the characteristics of a polymerized vinyl halide in the form of a resilient gel. v- Another object is to adapt the resilient mold of ldifferent shapes with the same mold.

' Further features and advantages of the inven- I tion will beapparent from the following detailed description taken in connection vwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic section showing one method of and means for making a resilient mold embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section through the resilient mold formed according to the method and with the means of Figure 1, and showing more or less generally the manner of molding a porcelain tooth therein;

ticle, without defects .along the molded surfaces,

embodying. the present invention;

Figure 3 is an 'elevational'view of an artiiicial tooth formed in the mold shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 2 show- I ing how the green or unred porcelain tooth is is a continuation in Serial No.

removed from the mold by flexing the same;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section showing another form of means for making a resilient mold Figure 6 is a section showing the mold forming means of Figure 5, and the manner of forming the mold therein;

Figure 7 is a more or less diagrammatic section showing a method of and means for. removing or eliminating air'bubbles between the'mold material and the surface of the master model or pattern so 'as to produce a resilient mold without defects on the molding surface;

Figure 8 is a top plan view oi a resilient mold embodying the present invention and provided with integral protrusions extending into the mold cavity for forming recesses in the opposite sides oi the tooth;

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 8-0 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a top plan view showing a resilient mold embodying the present invention, with the mold cavity shaped to form a posterior tooth the shape of a three-quarter crown;

Figure 11 is a section of Figure 10; A

Figure 12 is a vertical section through amold embodying the present invention and provided withtymeans for forming a tube tooth in the mold cavi Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 showing the metal pin reduced at the lower end;

` Figure 14'is a vertical section showing a mold formed of a combination of soft and relatively hard resilient material with a metal pin heid by the relatively hard mold material in position to form a tube tooth in the mold cavity;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure l2 -with the exception that the tapered metal'pin is'put in sideways through the i'nold;

Figure 16 is a section through a mold embodying the present invention and provided with means for forming a threaded recess in the green porcelain tooth;

Figure 17 is a section through a moldembodying the present invention provided with a metal insert and metal pin for producing a so-called porcelain crown with a hole which does not go all the way through the tooth; f

Figure 18 is a section taken on the line I8I8 of Figure 17;

taken on the line il-I i of Figure 17|;

Figure 20 is a modified resilient mold;

Figure 21 is a vertical section through a resilient mold embodying the present invention and .casacca 1 ruiiy described in Waldo M. semen, united form of pin Vfor the provided with a metal insert to produce a socalled bridge tooth:

Figure 22 'is a section taken on the line 22-22 o! Figure 21;' Figure 23 is a section similar to Figure 2l.,

I showing the resilient mold with another iorrn to produce a so-called bridge' of insert means tooth;` v

Figure 24 is an enlarged perspective view ot the metal insert shown in Figure 28:

States Patent No. 1,929,458, patented October 10, 1933. Where a plasticized vinyl halide is employed as the mold material it may, by way ot example, be prepared according to the Semen patent above mentioned, which sets out tull details of the material and method oi preparing same which will not be repeated here.

'111e mold cavity "il opens from the side I! et the resilient mold body and may be undercut inwardly as shown, or provided with undercut or projecting parts as will presently appear. Upon setting of the mold body i9, the flask l is removed. The great resilience of the mold body permits the pattern 8 to beremoved by grasping the mold in the hands and-flexing the same Figure v2liis a 'perspective view of one of the recess forming members shown in Figure 23;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of one Vof the two lower pins shown inFigure 23;

more 2v is s modified ferm si resilient meid for producing porcelain facings:

murezaisssecuontarenontnenneuf-ie of Figure 27; i Figure 29 is a longitudinal section through a l mold embodying the present invention, sho

the same .set in a metal channel;

Figure 30 is a cross-section takenon the line "-30 oi Figure 29;, l

Figure 31 is a top plan view ot the mold shown in Figures 29 and 30, showing the corrugated form oi' the side walls of the channel;

Figure 32 is a view similar to Figure 31, showing the same ilexible mold in a somewhat narrower channel formed to hold the mold body elongated lengthwise to increase the dimensions of the mold cavity lengthwise oi the mold with a reduction in the dimensions oi said cavity lateral- 1y; Md

`Figure 33 is-aview similar to Figures 31 and 32, showing a dinerent iorm oi channel for hold- I, ins the same moldl body compressed length and extended transversely.,

Referring ilrst to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the l drawings, there is shown, by way oi' exemple only,

one suitable means for making a resilient embodying the present invention and the manner of making a porcelain dental article, such as a tooth, in the mold.

A ilask t, provided at its top with openings t,

is placed in inverted position upon a b l.` A

pattern 8 of the tooth or other article is placed withintheflasklanduponthebase l, andthe mold material is melted for example in a porca lain dish and poured. while hot and iluid, into the flask l through one or more o! the ops l completely'to enclose the sides and occlusal surface o! the tooth pattern and to a level sub c 'stantially'illling the iiaskl. The openings t permit the escape oi air.

The mold material is then allowed to cool and sets to the'torm of. a resilient robbery solid mold body il having a-mold cavity il shaped A to form the artificial tooth or other article. The

'inner mold surface accurately reproduces all ine details of the natural tooth, so that a much more natural appearanceI is presented. Moreover, the inner mold surface is continuous throughout and does not have parting lines or the like such as are producedwhere rigid sectionalized molds ci' divided mold linings are employed.

The resilient mold material is preferably in the form oi a polymerizecl vinyl chloride or other poiymerized vinyl halide piasucizec'wnh e, more..

rial such as tricresyl phosphate or other suitable material auch as the so-called solvente more Upon removalof the tooth the resilient; mold may,

in the manner shown in Figure 4 to release the pattern or master model. Upon removal ol the pattern 8, the resilient character of the mold body brings it back to its original shape without destroying the contour o! the cavity il as prolin the flexible mold to the form oi' a hrm body by prolonged vibration. The porcelain may be molstened with water, and if desired a suitable binder may be employed, and the tooth may be shaded as more fully described in my above mentioned copending application.

Alter the porcelain has been compacted to the form of a firm body, the mold il may be again d in the hands,and exed as shown in Figure 4 to release or removey the molded tooth shown at i8 in Figure 3 from the mold. The extraordinary great resilience of the mold i9I permits removal of the compacted green or uniired tooth from the mold notwithstanding undercutl, or projecting parts and without destroying the molded shape ot the uniired porcelain tooth.

body again springs back to its original shape without destroying the contour of the cavity Il as produced by the pattern 8. so that the mold y may be used for forming additional teeth as and fili " where desired. Ai'ter removal from the mold il,

the tooth i6 is fire-hardened to form the nished porcelain tooth.

The polymerized vinyl halide mold material above described has the advantageous properties described in Semen Patent No. 1,929,453, and the present invention utilizes the extraordinary great resilience of this material to permit removal of the compacted but unred porcelain article from the mold, notwithstanding undercuts or projecting parte and without destroying the molded shape of the unilred porcelain tooth. I also utilize the further characteristics I iind this material has of forming a mold cavity with the inner mold surface thereof smooth and accurately reproducing all fine details of the natural teeth. The inner mold surface presented by this material is not porous or-defective, nor does it have interstices which would render it unsuitable for the purpose described. The resistance to wear oi this material is high, probably generally superior to that oi a rigid mold. This refers to abramaterial in making porcelain teeth and the like.

n be used in any other mannenandmay be of air .bubbles along these surfaces are'` i by prolonged vibration and without pressure fur-y ther reduces wear on the mold.

y by the basev2| and a pair of -upright side memvby way of example only, be metal plates, chrothe trough 22 through the Open thesurfaces of the patterns.L They getflarger upper surface of the mold materiaLzf` 'I'befsuc brings thamold body to the desiredthicknesstf, By way of example, the first pouring of Vmold assn'ose 3 sive wear and, aside from the characteristics` of I form' the porcelain teeth or other articles. Upon the material, the compacting of the porcelain setting of the mold body, the metal frame is refromthe mold body by flexing same as previously The chemical stability of the mold material Vdescribed. The porcelain teeth or other articles above described is also advantageous in using this `preceding'embodiment of the invention, and re- *moved "iromthe' moldlbody inA lcreen or unred ecndition'nd subsequently nre-'hardened to form `theaiinished"b0rlain-tceth 7 Y V 'In the embodiment 'show'nj in 'Figure' 7, after There is no undesirable reaction between'- j" mold material and the porcelain, `and, theplaktif cized .polymer-ized vinyl halide materialelias'tlie'; further advantageous property in a meldet the., class described of contracting upon 'coolin'g'- accu-1y rately to reproduce the natural tooth. I l

After removal oi' the porcelain toothv Afromtiie resilient mold and after drying `out A'andsbefore' fire-hardening; 'the' --tooth mayfbe gcarvel chined, drilled, or otherwisefinished`y bedipped vin wax Vor lacquer prior` machining, drilling or otherwise oper the same as set forth in my hereinideiitiiled copending application. As illustrative' of any auch operation as above pointed out, an opening," is drilled into the body of the tooth. as'shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, for the purpose of mounting or anchoring the tooth. Thisopening forms retention means, and may receive a lmetalpin or patterns 2li within,` for example, a trough 22' `iii similar to the-trough of'ftheijprecedingv embodivf-,utenti-htthe invention'- fexoept-fforathe omissionlx.upon vered by the hot and fluid 'mold material 'is placed Vtoriaafpressure chamber 30.4 v

. Air pressure, preferably over about 100 pounds-although this may vary--is then applied through the inlet 3i. 'I'his air pressure brings A.the `resilient mold material uniformly into con- 25 bubbles due to vapors generated by the heating other desired form.

.of the material, and eliminates same from the In the embodiment of the invention` shown in Figures 5 and 6, a plurality of patterns or master models of the teeth or other articles are placed upon a base 2| and within a trough 22 tormed by the pressure because the-pressure prevents the vapors from forming and thereby producing bubg'bles along the mold surface.,` After alhort period of time the air is released bythe release connection 32 and the mold is removed from the chamber ll. This procedure results in a resilient mold without any defects on the inner mold surfaces bers 23. The base 2i and side members may, mium or otherwise suitably plated forchemical A' stability.

The mold material 2l is melted and poured into top thereoLpreL. erably in two or more parts. The first pouring encloses the sides and occlusal surfaces oi' the tooth patterns. The mold material chills against the surfaces of the models or patterns 1i, and@y The mold body, designated at` Min Figures 8 v scribed, 'and has one or more suitably shaped in vsize and finally eliminated andpass away frhiir *or dental article. Two oppositeiy disposed resilv a ,becaus 'themold attllleg tltgg ge. surfa'gs at th y, lent protrusions 42, formed integral with the mold patterns so that they cannot return',to-such sun-...56

faces, these air bubbles rise and are redfatthe. mold body* extend into the mold'cvity u fand form recesses in the opposite sides of the perce# lain tooth in the formation of the tooth in the caVity'H.. The recesses thus iormedin the tooth may be used as retenticnfmeans foi-"anchorins the tooth in a denture base material, or they may seedingl pouring or pourings of moidmatrial material maybe to about-theldot vand dash line 1,55 a-a in Figuref. andthe next pouring may bring the mold body to the desired thickness, as shown. Upon completing the pouring or the mold material, a plate 25, preferably plated simular to the plates 23, may be placed upon the top of thermold material, as shown. This plate exertsadown ward pressure upon the mold material and prevents the resilient mold material from shrinking or pulling away from the patterns 20 as it cools and setsto the form of the resilient rubberymold body with the mold cavities 26 therein.. The plate 25 also makes the top surfacekof the mold straight or at at 21 for proper support "of the resilient mold upon a nat surface in forming the porcelain teeth in the cavities 26. f

As in the preceding embodiment of the invention, the 'mold material is then allowed to cool, and sets to the form of a resilient rubbery solid mold body having the mold cavities 26 shaped to ing catches therein, or otherwise as desired.y

Figures i0 and 11 show a mold body 43 ci resilient character as previously described having -a tooth` cavity ILshapedftof'vform a posterior l. tooth generallyin the-form of. a three-quarter crown. The overhanging portion a ofthe mold body is formed integral with the mold body and oi' the same resilient material as the mold body. A severe :undercut .Portion is prduced in themold body as indicated at 4B to form the complete occlusal ,'surfaceof the toothasaniintesrai part of the shell-'like and, by way o1 example, generally U-shaped labial and side portions formed inthe portion 41 of the cavity I4. The use of this mold has demonstrated very clearly the ability to make andr remove a tooth with extraordinarily severe undercuts from ythe mold of my present invention. Figure 12 shows a resilient mold embodying the moved and thev patterns or models 20 are removed l are then formed in the mold cavities 26 as in the first-melting the mold material and'pouring same while hot and fluid over the master mod'els'or --tr the tcp plate `21s,- tnefentiie maar; trough 0i f f frame 2,2 with; lthe patterns 28, ctuzipletelyf'cov-` l tact with the surface of the pattern. The mej chanical compression thus produced greatly re-r duces the size of any air bubbles. and possibly mold surface.l Also, sement thebubbles which would. ordinarily occur are entirely eliminated oi the mold cavities 2l' due to small air bubbles.`

and e.' is of resilient'cheracter as previous1y-de -mold cavities, :one mold cavity being shown at il; s v. f The kparticular cavity Il `shmiinrin the draw i ing is shaped to forman anteriortooth, but it' Amaybe shaped to form any other `form of ,tooth body U and of the same resilient materiales the.

be used for mounting the tooth on a color snide. as for example by engagement of suitable hoidthicker end oi the rod'or pin I2 is preferably iiattened out at I4 to enable the operator to insert the pin or rod the correct way. The green porcelain tooth is formed in the cavity Bi and about the pin or rod I2 as previously described.

- After the porcelain4 has been packed into the mold cavity li and around the pin or rod l2 and after the porcelain is thoroughly compacted reduced end 5l of the pin permits the cement to escape out of the small opening in cementing the tooth on such a pin. This avoids any plunger action and prevents splitting of the tooth by such action in cementing it on the supporting pin. The small hole thus formed in the occlusal end oi.' the tooth also permits the application of acid in removing the tooth from its supporting pin.

The mold designated at Il in Figure 14 is of resilient character as previously described and has one or more mold cavities, one mold cavity through prolonged vibration, the green porcelain toothis removed from the resilient mold body together with .the metal pin by iiexing the mold. The metal pin l2 is than pulled out of the tooth, the taper of the pin facilitating this. The result- -ing tooth, which has an opening extending all in the tooth so that it will burn out or be otherwise eliminated during the lire-hardening operation. The consumable insert may also be used as a means for producing undercut recesses and the like in the porcelain teeth. It is possible, by means of a consumable pin. to produce a hole extending entirely or partially through the tooth which would be free of any taper required to permit ready withdrawal oi' a metal or non-consumable pin. 4

I also contemplate the use of a preformed ceramic insert which may, for example, be in the biscuit state and could be fixed in the resilient mold, either directly, orlcarried by' a pin, which ceramic insert would be left in the tooth and would become integral with it upon firing. Such inserts may be made oi' extruded ceramic material, either solid or tubular, and, it desired, may be turned or machined to a particular shape.

1 A ceramic insert could be used about the threaded inner end of the pin 1l shown in Figure 16 as a means o1' forming a threaded hole in a porcelain tooth or other porcelain article, or for any other desired purpose.

The mold and pin combination shown in Figvure 13 is similar to-the mold and pin combination shown in Figure 12, and like parts are designated byprimed reference characters corresponding with the reference 'characters in Figure 12. In this case, the lower end oi' the tapered metal' pin i2 is reduced at i6, and this reduced end i! is anchored in the resilient mold body at I3 and extends up into the mold cavity 5 I This provides an opening or hole in the resulting tooth being shown at Il. A metal pin insert l2 islanchored at its lower end in the resilient mold body at and extends up through the median portion ot the mold cavity li. After the porcelain has been packed into the mold cavity il and to the metal insert l2' as previously described, the mold is iiexed and the green porcelain tooth pulled from the pin I2, The green porcelain tooth is v then dried out and tired as before.

In the embodiment or the invention shownin Figure 14, thebase portion 'of the mold as indicated at Il is formed of ilrmer resilient material than the upper part provided with the tooth cavity. Ihe lower end of the pin 02 is' anchored in the harder or m'mer resilient base I4, and therefore has nrmer support for maintaining the desired position of the pin in the mold cavity. This is advantageous because in making teeth oi thissort it is important that the holes are always in the same position as it is ycuite lciten necessary to make a repair, and it ythe position o! the hole in the tooth varies it is impossible to ilt such a tooth to a metal boxing and pin.

The resilient mold and pin combination shown ln'Figure l5 is the same as shown in Figure l2,

except that the tapered pin 68 is put in sidewiee through the mold body 89 and extends sidewise through the mold cavity 10. The hole formed in the porcelain tooth' with the sidewise disposed pin il is adapted for use as retention means for anchoring the tooth in denture base material, tor example byl putting a wire through it and twisting the wire to form a loop, which loop` would be embedded in the denture Jbase material, or the hole formed in the porcelain tooth with the sidewise disposed pin B8 may be used for stringing the tooth on a wire, chain, or other tooth carrier of a color guide. The pin il has a slight taper as shown to facilitate removal, and its outer end may be flattened at 1i.

The resilient mold body shown at 'i5 in Figure 1B is likewise of resilient character as previously described. The tooth cavity is indicated at 16,

and a metal pin 18 is supported in the mold body.

The inner end of this pin 'il is threaded at 'It and protrudes into the mold cavity 16. After the tooth has been packed and formed in the mold cavity, the pin 18 lis screwed out of the green porcelain tooth and out of the resilient mold, leaving a threaded recess in the green porcelain tooth, which is then removed from the mold, dried out, and iired as before.

In Figures 17, 18 and 19, the resilient mold body 82 of the character previously described has a mold cavity 83, and a metal pin 84 is supported with its inner end spaced from the inner mold surface 85 which forms the occlusal surface of the tooth. As a result, the hole formed in the tooth by the pin 84 does not go all of the way through the tooth. A so-called porcelain crown is produced in this type of mold.

The pin 84 is supported by a metal insert II anchored in the resilient mold body 82 at 81, ll.

The metal insert 88 extends across the gingival end of the tooth cavity, and has an opening 88 at the median portion of the cavity. The pin 84 extends through the opening 88, and at its outer end `has a collar 89 or other abutment means fixed thereon. This collar or abutment means 89 engages the metal insert 88 and supports the pin in properly located position in the mold cavity and with the inner end of the pin spaced from the mold'surface 85. The pin 84 below the insert 88 preferably has a slight taper to facilitate removal from the green porcelain ltooth after the tooth is formed by packing the moistenedporcelain in the cavity 83 and to the pin 84, the pin 84 being removed by pulling same from the green porcelain tooth, after removing the insert 88 with the pin 84 and the green porcelain tooth from the mold body 82. The green porcelain tooth with the opening which does not extend completely through the same is then dried out and fired. The porcelain is introduced into the mold cavity through the spaces around the insert 88 as shown in Figures 17 and 19.

'I'he form of metal pin shown in Figure 20 is adapted for use in the manner of the pins shown in Figures 13 and 14 This pin consists of two partsa thin metal pin 92 which is embedded at its inner end in the resilient mold material and supports telescoplcally the larger metal pin or V rod part 93 which forms the retaining hole in the tube' tooth. The resilient mold body is not shown in this ligure, but it is to be understood that' the upper end of the thin metal pin part 02 will preferably extend up into the mold cavity in the manner in which the reduced pin part 58 extends into the mold cavity 5|' in Figure 13.

The mold design-ated at 95 in Figures 21 and 22 is of resilient character as previously described,

and has the mold cavity 98 shaped to producea so-called bridge tooth. This type o! tooth is mostly used in xed bridge work, and that portion of the tooth which is in contact with the backing must be accurate. IfYsuch a tooth should break in the mouth the dentist should be able to cement 1n a new tooth, and, in this way, make a simple repair. It is, therefore, of great importance that the size and position of the holes 'the inwardly protruding ends of the pins 99, |00,

and |0|, and after the porcelain is thoroughly compacted through prolonged vibration, the green porcelain tooth,together with the metal parts, is removed -from the flexible mold. The metal pins are pulled out and the metal plate is removed from the green porcelain tooth, leaving the recesses formed by the pins of accurate size and accurately positioned, and accurately' positioning the straight portions |02. The tooth is then dried out and fired as previously described.

The backing member to which the tooth formed with the mold and insert means of Figures 21 and 22 is secured has metal pins for engagement in the recesses formed by the pins 99, |00, and |0|. 'I'he pin on the backing member which engages in the recess' formed by the pin 99 may be under size to facilitate application of the tooth to the backing member over such pin, or the tooth may be formed with the resilient mold and insertmeans as shown in Figures 23 to 26 to permit application of the tooth to the backing member and over the retention pins or other retention means thereon.

The resilient mold and insert means shown in Figures 23 to 26, inclusive, are similar to the mold and insert means shown in Figures 21 and 22 except that the metal plate 98 has a turned in or ilanged portion |04 anchored in the mold body 95', and the pins 08 and recess forming portion |08 are formed of rubber or the like to be self-retaining in the openings |01 and |08 in the metal plate 98. The end oi the plate 98 opposite the ange |04 is also anchored in the.'resilient mold body as shown. The tooth cavity is indicated at 98'. The porcelain tooth is formed in the cavity 96 and against the metal plate 4and rubber-inserts and is removed and dried out and fired in the manner described lin connection with Figures 21 and 22.

The mold and insert means shown in Figures 27 and 28 are adapted for producing porcelain tooth facings which are known in the art as "Steels facings. 'Ihe mold body 0 is of resilient character as previously described, having, for example, a plurality of mold cavities ||2. The metal insert consists of a plate part ||4 embedded in the resilient mold body and which may, by way of example, be made up in sections as shown. bedded singly and retained by the iiexible mold body in conjunction with each mold cavity, or these sections may be soldered or otherwise secured together at ||5. Keys ||8 have dovetailed or interlocking sliding engagement at ||1 with the metal plate part, one such key ||6 being shown for each 'porcelain facing forming cavity ||2.

After the porcelain has been packed into the mold cavities ||2 and to the metal insert, the whole is removed and the metal keys are first .pulled out of the green porcelain facings and the metal plate. Then the metal plate is removed from the green porcelain faclngs, leaving the surfaces 8 of the porcelain facings accurately finished and the green facings are then dried out and fired.

Figures 29 to 33, inclusive,show another advantage of the resilient mold, which resides in its adaptability to be stretched, compressed, or even bent or otherwise distorted, to change the shape of the mold cavity.

The mold body I 25 is formed of resilient material as heretofore described, and in this case is provided with a plurality of mold cavities Mii-specifically six of such cavities. The inner surface of each mold cavity is continuous throughout. The resilient mold body |25 is provided With a metal channel |21. the sides of which are corrugated at |28 or otherwise formed to hold the mold body with the mold cavities |28 shaped as shown in Figure 31. The opposite ends of the channel |21 may be open as shown, although this may vary.

A second metal channel |30 (Figure 32), somewhat narrower than the channel |21 with its side walls corrugated or otherwise suitably shaped at |3|, is adapted to hold the resilient mold body |25 compressed transversely and stretched or elongated longitudinally. the resilient mold body is positioned in the The sections may be em- When channel |30 the mold cavities |26 are elongated longitudinally of the mold and reduced in dimension transversely of the mold body. 'Ihe opposite ends of the channel |30 may likewise be open as shown, although this, too, may vary.

A third metal channel |34 (Figure 33), somewhat wider than the channel |21 with its side walls corrugatedor otherwise suitably shaped at |35 and provided with closed ends |36, is adapted to hold the resilient mold body |25 compressed longitudinally and extended transversely. -By

positioning the resilient mold body in the channel |34, the dimensions' of the mold cavity |26 vlongitudinally of the mold are reduced and the transverse dimensions of these cavities |26 are increased.

By variations of such holding devices for the flexible mold body, the mold cavities may be distorted to any desired shape, which reduces the number of resilient molds which must be stocked to produce a given number of different shapes of teeth.

Other methods of deforming or changing the shape of the resilient mold body to change the shape of the one or more mold cavities are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, means may be secured to one or both ends of the mold and'provided with screw means operable in ilxed members, the screw means being adjustable to stretch or compress the resilient mold to change the shapes of the one or more mold cavities as desired. Another method would'be to have holes molded in the iiexible mold body-for example at each end-so that pins could be inserted and the mold could then be stretched by moving the pins apart and fixing them. v

While the mold of myinvention is particularly suited for the production of denture parts, such as artificial teeth, as above explained, it may be used, within the broader aspects of my invention, for the production of various other articles or parts thereof.

By way of example only, I propose in carrying out the present invention to obtain a variety of sets of natural teeth of diderent types and sizes and to arrange them in complete sets, both for upper and lower jaws. These natural teeth may be modified by carving, as required. After the natural teeth have been modified, which may be done by carving or grinding, or by adding to them dental cement or hard waxfan enlarged pattern is made and the flexible mold is made from the enlarged pattern, the enlargement of the pattern being of anydesired degree to take care of the l0 shrinkage of the porcelain teeth in iiring the same.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described. i

I claim:

l. In combination, a exible mold body having a mold cavity adapted to form a molded `article of a form conforming with the normal shape of said mold cavity, and metal channel means for deforming the flexible mold body to change the normal shape of the mold cavityl so as to form a molded article of a different shape in said mold cavity.

2. A mold comprising a unitary body having formed therein a mold cavity of the size and shape of the desired article to be produced from said mold and a pouring opening leading to said cavity, said body being formed of a plasticized polymerized vinyl halide in the form of a soft and highly elastic gelled material.

3. A moldcomprising a unitary body having formed therein a mold cavity of the size and shape of the desired article to be produced from said mold and a pouring opening leading to said cavity, said body being formed of a plasticized polymerized vinyl chloride in the form of a soft and highly elastic gelled material.

4. A dental mold for the production of porcelain denture parts, said mold comprising a unitary vbody having formed therein a mold cavity of the 40 size and chape of the desired article to be produced from said mold and a pouring opening leading to said cavity, said body being formed of a plasticized polymerized vinyl chloride in the form of a soft and highly elastic gelled material.

REINER W. ERDLE. 

